Adaptable McDonald's

You can’t drive more than 15-30 miles without seeing the big golden arches. It is the international sign of McDonald’s. Getting to go to McDonald’s is usually a treat especially if you are a kid. Not only do you get to eat those yummy greasy fries, but you also get to play on the indoor playground and video games. That is a typical trip to an American McDonald’s.

While living in Okinawa, Japan, I experienced a very different McDonald’s. From the outside it was a little more extravagant and appealing than your typical one. American McDonald’s usually have a young pimply kid to greet you ate the register. Most look quite unenthused and would rather be somewhere else. That was not the case in Okinawa. The Japanese for one take great pride in anything they do..no matter how menial. Once I walked inside it was comparable to a 4 star restaurant. I immediately notice the menu was in Japanese and was a little worried about how I would order. They did have great pictures of the meals and tons of soups to choose from. Just another way of adapting to the environment. As I walked up to the counter I was again pleasantly surprised. Everyone was smiling and wearing immaculate uniforms that included pristine white gloves. Nice right? As soon as they noticed I was American they gave us a menu in English. That was courteous and accommodating. I placed my order and promptly had it in my hands. I was taken aback by the size of my meal. It was the equivalent of what our Happy Meals are in the U.S. There was no such thing as “super sizing” in 1995. The food did taste different but good. The only thing I did not like was that it was not customarily to put ice in your drinks.

In Japanese culture eating is a slow enjoyable process. You will not find a drive thru or a massive playground with tons of screaming kids. That was probably the most relaxed meal I have ever had at a McDonald’s.